Chapter 6 : Banquet invitation

Clarissa is clear about what she wants but it looks like her thoughts didn’t align with her mother's as she’s adamant about introducing her to the elite society.

In a fit of her anger she said something she didn’t mean to and hurt her mother.

Matilda's eyes dimmed, as she thought about what Clarissa said.

It’s true that she always maintained a low profile after her separation and focused on developing her company.

She secured a remarkable position in the business world and it’s all thanks to her daughter who created unique fragrances for her production.

As much as her company protected her from the heartbreak, she became the victim of public humiliation.

People called her a weakling, a woman unfit to be a wife but she endured, survived and made her stand strong.

She didn’t want her daughter to face the same fate as her.

Clarissa looked at her mother who lowered her head with hurt filled eyes and blamed herself for spouting nonsense.

She held her mother’s hands and opened her mouth to say something when Matilda spoke, her voice soft but firm.

“Because I was alone honey.”

She lifted her head and looked straight into Clarissa’s eyes before continuing.

“No one helped me with the company or you. I became the man of our house but you don’t have to live like that. You have me. I’ll protect you and your baby.”

Matilda’s eyes brimmed with tears as she recalled about her hardships but she stubbornly didn’t let her tears fall.

She never let herself cry after finding about her husband’s affair except when Clarissa chose Nicholas over her.

And she wants her daughter to be as strong as her.

No shedding tears for unworthy persons.

“I’ll shield you from every harm baby. Let me be your knight.”

Clarissa hugged her mother tight, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably.

She knew how much her actions hurt her mother but she thought everything will fall into a place if she can make Nicholas fall in love with her but…..

She owes her mother so much.

“I love you mama.”

“I love you too honey.”

Matilda kissed her hair and closed her eyes with a content smile.

She knew Clarissa’s never greedy but she should learn how to rule people’s heart.

There’s no rush.

She’ll teach her everything slowly and moulds her into an invincible woman.

“But mama. I still feel like I shouldn’t be your temporary cover.”

Clarissa said, pulling away from the hug and looked at her mother with a pout.

She has no clue about how to run a company and the board members didn’t appreciate her when her mother brought her into their space.

She knew her dear mama can deal with such trivial issues but it can effect her in some ways.

“No compromising with my decision honey. You’ll be the acting CEO. Period.”

Matilda said in non negotiable tone and stood up to resume her hunt for the perfect banquet dress.

“Do you know the meaning of my position mama?”

Clarissa asked as she followed her mother with her arms across her chest.

“I do.”

Her mother replied with a whistle, her red painted lips prominent when she puckered her lips and looked at the newly launched collection while the attendants returned to assist them.

“You’re not on leave or diagnosed with a disease or planned a long vacation. You’re fine mama. I…”

Matilda put her index finger on Clarissa’s lips, stopping her from ranting further. Her freshly trimmed nails shining like berries under the bright lightening.

“I have a daughter and a grandchild to look after. That reason alone can justify my decision.”

She said, her eyes spotting something shimmering on the other side of the hall and walked towards it with a frown.

“I’ll play my part as your mother and you should play your part as company’s head. Don’t worry honey. I’ll have your back.”

She assured the agitated pregnant woman and pulled out the princess style dress from the rack and Clarissa’s eyes widened in surprise.

“This is it.”

Matilda said with an appreciative look and turned to Clarissa who is mesmerised by the dress.

“Honey?”

“Mama, I love it.”

Clarissa squealed, caressing the fabric with her finger tips and nodded her head as a yes.

Just like that, they resolved their disagreement and got ready for the anticipated upcoming banquet.

…………………

“Do you have anything to say Victor?”

Nicholas asked the assistant when he didn’t leave his office after reporting him about his schedule for the day.

Victor nodded worriedly and fidgeted with the file in his hands, hesitating to inform his boss about the news he just received.

“What is it?”

Nicholas asked coldly, as he’s on the verge of losing his temper and the reason behind his irksome mood is none other than his ex wife.

He found out that she is pregnant through a piece of paper. How ridiculous?

She hid such a huge thing from him and divorced him brazenly like she has nothing to do with him anymore.

And now she’s hiding under her mother’s wing like a coward, making it difficult for him to reach her.

He thought everything will be settled once he gets his freedom from the marriage but nothing has solved.

He took over his company, divorced Clarissa, got back together with Natalie but there is no peace in his life.

He wants to confront the damn woman about the pregnancy but he happened to go on a business trip and just returned this morning and there is a pile of documents waiting for him again on his desk to review.

And even his assistant is being the pain in the ass for him.

“We received an invitation sir.”

Victor finally said as he fished out the invite card from the file and placed it on the desk.

Nicholas arched his brow after seeing the label on the card, his lips slowly stretching into a smirk.

RISSA essence.

“What is it about?”

He asked, not taking the card but didn’t take his eyes off it either.

“It’s a banquet, congratulating Ms. Anderson for becoming the acting CEO of RISSA essence.”

A frown appeared on Nicholas’s face hearing Victor’s explanation.

Matilda, his so called mother-in-law is already the CEO. What’s with this temporary designation?

Don’t tell him it’s Clarissa.

He eyed at Victor and the latter nodded, confirming his guess.

Interesting.

His ex-wife who stayed away from the corporate world all her life, is now the head of a huge empire.

He wants to see her face when she stood in the middle of the crowd at the banquet. He can already see her body trembling when she’s under public scrutiny.

“When is the banquet?”

He asked, his eyes moving back to the card in front of him.

The font they used for RISSA is so delicate and curvy just like Clarissa’s body and his throat went dry, remembering their old days.

“Tomorrow evening.”

“Clear my schedule for tomorrow. I’ll attend the banquet.”

Nicholas said, pulling himself out of his trance and started working on his system but he still saw Victor standing in his office from the corner of his eye.

“What is it again?”

He asked impatiently, annoyed by Victor’s weird behaviour.

“The card…it said…”

Victor hesitated to tell the contents of the invitation but the words stuck in his throat.

Nicholas lost his patience and took the card from the desk and turned it around.

The cursive bold letters on the card, made him clench his jaw as his hands gripped the piece of cardboard tight, popping out his veins and his eyes turned red in fury

Bravo Matilda Anderson.

See you soon.